1991 Isuzu Impulse Problems
- Complaints
- 25filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 26 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 30 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 Isuzu Impulse (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 1991 Isuzu Impulse. The part named most often is electrical system, with 9 complaints (36% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (7) and engine cooling (5). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system9 36%
- Engine cooling5 20%
- Other or unknown4 16%
- Exterior lighting1 4.0%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “As the weather is getting warmer the engine revs and drops uncontrollably. The car also stalls at any speed. I have had it even stall on the highway. I hear this is a common problem on this particular type of ECM unit, please check into this for me. If I hadn't taken a defensive driving course I could be dead right now.”
NHTSA complaint #747780, filed 2001-07Vehicle speed control: “I have had this problem one too many times, and it is starting to get annoying. I can't afford to buy another car right now and I would'nt want anyone else to have this problem with a car. It's very dangerous. My car can take off at any time it wants to. It almost made me get in an accident in a traffic jam. The dealer won't cover the defect.”
NHTSA complaint #708619, filed 1999-07Engine cooling: “This is the 2nd Impulse that I have owned, and I thought it would only happen to my first one, but this one is the same way. When it gets warm out, the engine has idling problems. Then other Impulse I had (1990) did it from day 1 at 55000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #723786, filed 2000-06Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1991 Isuzu Impulse version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impulse FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 30 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Impulse FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Impulse 4WD/AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,750 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 92V091000Jul 6, 1992Air bagsCovers: Isuzu Impulse 1990–1992, Stylus 1990–1992
The steering wheel center hub can fracture during certain frontal and near frontal vehicle collisions.
Recall details for the 1991 Isuzu Impulse → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10237146May 8, 2023Other or unknown. This bulletin outlines the procedures for using the Alpine Exchange Program (the "Exchange Program"). The Exchange Program must be used when any Alpine radio or other component covered by this…
- 10218932Aug 30, 2022Equipment. Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers…
- 10218927Aug 2, 2022Equipment. Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers…
Other model years of the Isuzu Impulse
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 25 | — | 1 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 5 | — | 1 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1991 Isuzu Impulse have?
NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 1991 Isuzu Impulse as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Isuzu Impulse is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 9 complaints (36% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 7.
Has the 1991 Isuzu Impulse been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1991 Isuzu Impulse get?
The EPA rates the 1991 Isuzu Impulse (Impulse, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 26 mpg combined, 23 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.